Alabama

Decision delayed on new Mobile recycling plan

If a new plan is approved, Mobile will switch to "single-stream" recycling, meaning patrons won't have to separate their recyclables. (File photo)m

It appears it will be at least a few more weeks before the future of recycling in Mobile is decided.

The administration of Mayor Sandy Stimpson has proposed a substantial change. Rather than requiring patrons to sort their materials, the new system would accept unsorted recyclables, which would then be shipped out of the city for sorting and processing. Administration officials said last week their goal ultimately is to add drop-off sites until there's one in each of Mobile's seven districts.

However, as the City Council discussed two related contracts last week, concerns arose that the scheme could lead to legal difficulty between Mobile's Solid Waste Authority and Waste Management, which handles the city's garbage. In a contractual dispute unrelated to recycling, Waste Management won a $3 million judgment against the Authority.

As the Mobile City Council met Tuesday morning for the organization session that precedes its weekly meeting, Council President Gina Gregory said the administration had asked for the contracts to be tabled for three weeks rather than being put to a vote later on Tuesday.

Some council members involved in the discussion reiterated their positions: Joel Daves said he would hate to see fear of a lawsuit prevent the city from making improvements. "We can't be afraid of change," he said, saying the city needs to step up its recycling game.

"I get all that, perfectly," said Bess Rich of the argument that the new program could lead to significant increases in recycling in the city. But she said she didn't want the council's vote to lead to a potentially expensive lawsuit.

Gregory said the administration had asked for a delay because discussions were ongoing.

In the meantime, a trial run of the new system will continue to function at the city recycling center at 1451 Government St. Patrons can drop off unsorted recyclables from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Because the new setup uses compactors that must be manned, 24-hour dropoff is no longer available at the site.